Rule2025-17384
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 10, 2025
Effective
September 25, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 505 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of a crack on the mounting bracket on the oil cooler fan assembly housing. This AD requires a one-time visual inspection for cracks on the mounting bracket on the oil cooler fan assembly housing and modification of the mounting bracket. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 173 (Wednesday, September 10, 2025)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 173 (Wednesday, September 10, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43544-43546]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-17384]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-2276; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00699-R;
Amendment 39-23137; AD 2025-18-10]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 505 helicopters. This AD was
prompted by a report of a crack on the mounting bracket on the oil
cooler fan assembly housing. This AD requires a one-time visual
inspection for cracks on the mounting bracket on the oil cooler fan
assembly housing and modification of the mounting bracket. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective September 25, 2025.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September
25, 2025.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by October 27, 2025.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
<bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-2276; or in person at Docket Operations between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For Transport Canada material identified in this AD,
contact Transport Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft
Certification, 159 Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario, K1A 0N5, Canada;
phone: (888) 663-3639; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#297d6a0768405b5e465b5d4140474c5a5a6d405b4c4a5d405f4c5a046a46475a404e474c5a4d4c47485f404e484b4045405d4c077d6a695d4a074e4a074a48"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a9fdea87e8c0dbdec6dbddc1c0c7ccdadaedc0dbcccaddc0dfccda84eac6c7dac0cec7ccdacdccc7c8dfc0cec8cbc0c5c0ddcc87fdeae9ddca87ceca87cac8">[email protected]</span></a>. You may find the Transport Canada
material on the Transport Canada website at tc.canada.ca/en/aviation.
<bullet> You may view this material at the FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Room 6N-
321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. It is also available at
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2025-2276.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Warwick, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (817) 222-5225; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#91e2e5f4e7f4ffbfe3bfe6f0e3e6f8f2fad1f7f0f0bff6fee7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7f0c0b1a091a11510d51081e0d08161c143f191e1e51181009">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments
about this final rule. Send your comments using a method listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2025-2276; Project
Identifier MCAI-2025-00699-R'' at the beginning of your comments. The
most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the final rule,
explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting
data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date
and may amend this final rule because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this final rule.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this AD contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this AD, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Steven
Warwick, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for
this rulemaking.
Background
Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has
issued Transport Canada AD CF-2025-23, dated April 23, 2025 (Transport
Canada AD CF-2025-23) (also referred to as ``the MCAI''), to correct an
unsafe condition on Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 505 helicopters,
serial numbers 65011 through 65020 and 65022 through 65027. The MCAI
states that an occurrence of a cracked mounting bracket on the oil
cooler fan assembly housing was reported. During the subsequent
investigation, it was determined that the initial design of a `Z'
shaped bracket that was welded to the oil cooler fan assembly housing
and then bolted to a bracket on the truss was susceptible to cracking.
As a result, the manufacturer improved the design of the mounting
bracket to incorporate a slotted bracket bolted to both the oil cooler
fan assembly housing and the
[[Page 43545]]
truss. The MCAI requires a one-time visual inspection for cracks and
modification of the right bracket of the oil cooler fan assembly
housing. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to failure
of the drive shaft, loss of the tail rotor drive, and consequent loss
of control of the helicopter.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-2276.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Transport Canada AD CF-2025-23, which specifies
procedures for a one-time visual inspection for cracks and modification
of the right bracket of the oil cooler fan assembly housing. This
material is reasonably available because the interested parties have
access to it through their normal course of business or by the means
identified in the ADDRESSES section.
FAA's Determination
These products have been approved by the aviation authority of
another country and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design
Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in
the MCAI referenced above. The FAA is issuing this AD after determining
that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or
develop on other products of the same type design.
AD Requirements
This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in Transport
Canada AD CF-2025-23, described previously, except for any differences
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD.
Explanation of Required Compliance Information
In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD
process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been
coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result,
Transport Canada AD CF-2025-23 is incorporated by reference in this AD.
This AD requires compliance with Transport Canada AD CF-2025-23 in its
entirety through that incorporation, except for any differences
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD. Material
required by Transport Canada AD CF-2025-23 for compliance will be
available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2025-2276 after this
AD is published.
Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective
Date
Section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C.
551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment
procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds that
those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the
public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days,
upon a finding of good cause.
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public
justifies forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule
because the failure of the mounting support of the oil cooler fan
assembly housing could lead to failure of the drive shaft, loss of the
tail rotor drive, and consequent loss of control of the helicopter. For
this reason, the initial actions required by this AD must be
accomplished within 25 hours time-in-service or 30 days, whichever
occurs first, which is shorter than the time necessary for the public
to comment and for publication of the final rule. Accordingly, notice
and opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable and contrary
to the public interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b).
In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days,
for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forgo notice and
comment.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without prior notice and
comment, RFA analysis is not required.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects six helicopters of U.S.
registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect mounting bracket................. 1.5 work-hours x $85 per $0 $128 $768
hour = $128.
Modify right mounting bracket............ 2.5 work-hours x $85 per 0 213 1,278
hour = $213.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this AD
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected operators.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States,
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or
on the
[[Page 43546]]
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of
government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866, and
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2025-18-10 Bell Textron Canada Limited: Amendment 39-23137; Docket
No. FAA-2025-2276; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00699-R.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 25,
2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 505
helicopters, serial numbers 65011 through 65020 inclusive and 65022
through 65027 inclusive, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7311, Engine Fuel/
Oil Cooler.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of a cracked mounting bracket
on the oil cooler fan assembly housing. The FAA is issuing this AD
to prevent cracking on the mounting bracket of the oil cooler fan
assembly housing. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead
to failure of the drive shaft and loss of the tail rotor drive with
consequent loss of control of the helicopter.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, Transport Canada AD CF-2025-23, dated April 23,
2025 (Transport Canada AD CF-2025-23).
(h) Exceptions to Transport Canada AD CF-2025-23
(1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-23 refers to its effective
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-23 requires compliance in
terms of air time, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(3) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-23 specifies ``Within 25
hours air time or 30 days from the effective date of this AD'', this
AD requires replacing that text with ``Within 25 hours time-in-
service or 30 days from the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs first''.
(4) Where paragraph 1. of Transport Canada AD CF-2025-23
specifies ``conduct a visual inspection of the right bracket of the
oil cooler blower housing'', this AD requires replacing that text
with ``conduct a visual inspection and, if applicable, a gap
measurement of the right bracket of the oil cooler blower housing''.
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19,
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information
directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, send
it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of
this AD and email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#acede1e3efeccacdcd82cbc3da"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d0919d9f9390b6b1b1feb7bfa6">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local Flight Standards District Office/certificate holding
district office.
(j) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Steven Warwick,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 222-5225; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f281869784979cdc80dc859380859b9199b2949393dc959d84"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3e4d4a5b485b50104c10495f4c49575d557e585f5f10595148">[email protected]</span></a>.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Transport Canada AD CF-2025-23, dated April 23, 2025.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For Transport Canada material identified in this AD, contact
Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159 Cleopatra
Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada; phone: (888) 663-3639;
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3561761b745c47425a47415d5c5b504646715c475056415c43504618765a5b465c525b504651505b54435c5254575c595c41501b61767541561b52561b5654"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0a5e49244b63787d65787e6263646f79794e63786f697e637c6f792749656479636d646f796e6f646b7c636d6b686366637e6f245e494a7e69246d6924696b">[email protected]</span></a>. You may find this material on
the Transport Canada website at tc.canada.ca/en/aviation.
(4) You may view this material at the FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Room 6N-
321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
(5) You may view this material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a> or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b4d2c69adddac7c4d1d7c0dddbdaf4dad5c6d59ad3dbc2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b6d0c498dfd8c5c6d3d5c2dfd9d8f6d8d7c4d798d1d9c0">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on September 5, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-17384 Filed 9-8-25; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on September 10, 2025.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.